Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 28:

In page 16, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following:“(c) on any local authority owned land in the area on the development of social housing.”.

The Minister has outlined where the proceeds of the vacant site levy will go. The legislation provides for a number of areas where it can be used, but we believe this money should solely be used for social housing for local authorities. The Minister said it can be used for all sorts of things, be it structures or providing services and facilities for local communities, including education, training and so forth. However, there are other mechanisms from which they should be funded.

We should have a clear picture of what will be done with this levy. We are imposing it in the context of housing. The building of social housing is the major issue that faces us, so that is where the money should be targeted. It should not stray off into areas that are already looked after, as other services are dealing with those. I hope the Minister will support the proposal that all of the levy should go towards social housing.

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